SMALLER OTTER. 443 



ous of that rigid order, who are prohibited, dur- 

 ing their whole lives, the eating of flesh. 



SMALLER OTTER. 



Lutra Lutreola. L. fuko-nigricans, plantis hirsutis, digitis 



cequalzbus, ore albo. 

 Blackish-tawny O. with hairy feet, toes equal in length, and 



white muzzle. 

 Mustek Lutreola. M. plantis palmatis hirsutis, digitis ccquali-* 



bus, ore albo. Ijn. Syst. Nat. p. 66. 

 Viverra Lutreola. Pall, spicil. zool. 14. p. 46. t. 3-/. i. 

 Lesser Otter. Pennant Quadr. 2. p. 80. 



THIS species very much resembles the common 

 Otter, but is much smaller: the body is of a 

 dusky-colour, but with a considerable cast of 

 tawny; the chin and throat white; the ears 

 roundish; the feet broad, webbed, and covered 

 with hair, instead of being naked, as in the for- 

 mer animal. In size it falls far short of the com- 

 mon Otter, measuring about a foot in length. In 

 North America this species is known by the name 

 of Minx, and is said sometimes to leave the water, 

 and prey on poultry, &c. in the manner of a Pole- 

 cat, biting off the heads and sucking the blood. 

 It is said also to have a fetid smell. In Europe 

 the smaller Otter is chiefly found in Poland and 

 Lithuania, living on fish, frogs, &c. Its fur is 

 very valuable, and next in beauty to that of the 

 Sable. 



